The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 has brought together some of the continent's most talented footballers, showcasing their skills on the grand stage.
Beyond the drama set to unfold in Ivory Coast, many of these footballers have also to accumulate wealth and command high wages through their successful careers, endorsements, and business ventures.
In this article, Pulse Sports reveals the top 10 highest-paid footballers at AFCON 2023.
As AFCON 2023 unfolds, these footballing stars not only showcase their talent on the field but also their financial success off it.
1. Mohamed Salah, Egypt - $53 million
Age: 31
Club/Team: Liverpool
On-Field Earnings: $35million
Off-Field Earnings: $18 million
Known globally for his dazzling performances with Liverpool in the Premier League, Mohamed Salah tops the list as the highest-paid footballers at AFCON 2023.
The Egyptian forward has secured numerous lucrative endorsements, including deals with major brands like Adidas and Vodafone.
As of 2024, no other African footballer in the world earns more than the Pharaoh's star off the pitch.
2. Sadio Mané, Senegal - $52 million
Age: 31
Club/Team: Al Nassr
On-Field Earnings: $48 million
Off-Field Earnings: $4 million
Next on the list is Salah's former teammate and Al Nassr star Sadio Mané.
Renowned for his lightning-fast pace and goal-scoring abilities, Mané's wealth has soared through successful stints with top clubs like Liverpool, Bayern, and now Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
As of 2024, no other footballer earns more on the pitch than the Senegal star who recently left bachelorhood.
Off the pitch, Mane has bagged endorsements with New Balance, mobile giant, Huawei, Pepsi, Sonatel Orange, Air Senegal.
3. Riyad Mahrez, Algeria - $32 million
Age: 32
Club/Team: Al Ahli
On-Field Earnings: $30 million
Off-Field Earnings: $2 million
Algeria captain and former African footballer of the year, Riyad Mahrez, is in third place.
His success with his national team and former club Manchester City, including winning the UEFA Champions League, has significantly boosted his reputation in African football.
Currently playing for Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli, Mahrez is widely regarded as one of the most successful Algerian footballers of all time.
His hefty salary in the Middle East has contributed immensely to his income, complemented by endorsements with Nike and Pepsi.
4. Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal - $26 million
Age: 32
Club/Team: Al Hilal
On-Field Earnings: $26 million
Off-Field Earnings: $0.05 million
Kalidou Koulibaly is a highly regarded Senegalese defender known for his exceptional strength, speed, and ability to read the game.
Koulibaly has since established himself as one of the best African defenders in the world.
The 32-year-old defender had to cut short his Chelsea spell as he admitted he couldn't say no to a life-changing switch to Saudi Arabia in the 2023 summer transfer window in a deal that sees him earn around $26 million yearly.
"I can't deny it, I'm going to Arabia for the money. I will be able to help my whole family to live well, from my parents to my cousins," Koulibaly said in a statement as reported by 'Corriere dello Sport'.
Off the pitch, Koulibaly remains one of the most-followed Senegalese footballers on social media.
5. Achraf Hakimi, Morocco - $20 million
Age: 25
Club/Team: Paris Saint Germain
On-Field Earnings: $15 million
Off-Field Earnings: $5 million
Paris Saint Germain star Achraf Hakimi is widely considered as one of the most marketable African athletes in the world.
The Moroccan World Cup star is known for his exceptional pace and versatility on the pitch.
He primarily plays as a full-back or wing-back and is renowned for his attacking prowess, contributing both defensively and offensively.
Off the pitch, Hakimi is one of the most active footballers on social media, known to be best friends with one of the highest-paid footballers in the world, Kylian Mbappe.
Achraf Hakimi is currently sponsored by Adidas UK, having had several endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike, Pepsi, and Huawei.
He has also appeared in campaigns for Puma and Beats by Dre, and is one of the most followed African footballers on social media.
6. Victor Osimhen, Nigeria - $20 million
Age: 25
Club/Team: Napoli
On-Field Earnings: $18 million
Off-Field Earnings: $2 million
Osimhen began 2024 as the highest-paid Nigerian footballer.
The 25-year-old striker, donning the colors of Napoli, signed a groundbreaking deal with the reigning Scudetto champions late last year.
The deal made him become the highest-paid African to ever play in the Serie A.
The reigning CAF Player of the year is also the most valuable African footballer in the world.
Osimhen's new deal at Napoli is also the second biggest contract signed by a Nigerian footballer ever, as he is expected to earn north of $40 million by the end of the contract in 2026.
Off the field, the Lagos-born striker has a slew of investments - most of which is undisclosed.
He is also reportedly courted by sportswear giants Nike, Puma, and Adidas who look to tie down a deal for Nigeria's most influential footballer in 2024, when he is touted to seal a big-money move away from Italy.
7. Franck Kessié, Ivory Coast - $17 million
Age: 28
Club/Team: Al Ahli
On-Field Earnings: $15 million
Off-Field Earnings: $2 million
Franck Kessié endured a brief spell in Barcelona, helping them to the LaLiga EA Sports title last campaign before making a switch to Saudi Pro League club, Al Alhi.
Kessie is a versatile player with a strong physical presence, excellent passing ability, and a keen eye for goal-scoring opportunities.
Kessie has established himself as one of the most dynamic and sought-after midfielders in the football world.
Off the pitch, he has some endorsement deals including one with Adidas.
8. Seko Fofana, Ivory Coast - $16 million
Age: 28
Club/Team: Al Nassr
On-Field Earnings: $16 million
Off-Field Earnings: $0.03 million
Ivorian midfielder Seko Fofana decided to leave RC Lens in Ligue 1 for a switch to the Saudi Pro League in the 2023 summer transfer window.
Having come through Manchester City's youth academy, Fofana established himself as one of the best defenders in the French league and is known for his versatility and strong midfield presence.
However, Fofana completed a switch to Al Nassr in the summer and currently earns more than 10 times his salary at his previous club.
9. Sébastien Haller, Ivory Coast - $14 million
Age: 29
Club/Team: Borussia Dortmund
On-Field Earnings: $12 million
Off-Field Earnings: $2 million
Known for his goalscoring prowess, the former Ajax, West Ham, and Eintracht Frankfurt striker was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022, which he overcame, before returning to professional football in January 2023.
As of 2023, Haller is the highest-paid player at Borussia Dortmund and one of the highest-paid African footballers in the world, with a number of lucrative deals to his name off the pitch - including one with Puma.
10. Edouard Mendy, Senegal - $13 million
Age: 31
Club/Team: Al Ahli
On-Field Earnings: $12 million
Off-Field Earnings: $1 million
Edouard Mendy is a highly regarded Senegalese goalkeeper, best known for his exceptional shot-stopping abilities.
The former Chelsea and Rennes star signed a mouth-watering contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, in the summer transfer window.
That deal made him become the highest-paid African goalkeeper in the world.
METHODOLOGY
This ranking of Africa's highest-paid footballers reflects the combined total of on-field earnings for the 2023-24 season, including base salaries, bonuses, and off-field estimates that reflect annual cash from endorsements, sponsorships, social media revenue, and the players' own businesses.
The figures were obtained from publicly accessible databases, such as Forbes, Capology.com, and discussions with experts in the field.
All figures used in this article are converted to U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate.
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